It would be difficult to find a worse album than Malloy's mention of The Shaggs LP. Watching the linked videos is required to comprehend the essence of this band! And thus, I nominate a recent acquisition for contention as the 2nd worst album ever. This is a 10" 78rpm record that attracted me as it was made with red vinyl. This to give to a buddy who collects colored vinyl records to decorate his basement's ceiling. As I examined the record I grew fond of the Dali-like cover artwork and realized it was a keeper when I noticed what was on Side B. Did a little research and here is the back story:
This record was made in 1950 by a no-longer-in-existence drug company for distribution to doctors. Isn't this a wicked snazzy cover for a limited production record made by a drug company? Side A is but a spoken dreary rap about the drug being advertised for the easy listening pleasure of doctors who received the record (see the photo of the back cover for drug details). The most interesting thing about the record is Side B's content titled, "Tableau of a Bladder Operation." On that side's label was mention of 2 musicians, one plays a harpsichord and the other a Viola da Gamba which was puzzling as what do those instruments have to do with drug advertising. In addition there's mention of a Marin Marais on that label. Turns out Marin Marais, a composer of classical music, died in 1728. During his life he had urinary bladder surgery to remove stones. Think about it, likely the sole anesthesia back then was a shot or two of alcohol. This Tableau is an actual classical composition that includes a person talking over the musical content about a description of the actual procedure the composer experienced. Some of the text, per Wiki: "The patient is bound with silken cords" and "He screameth."
Wow!
